Illinois Substitute Teacher License
An Illinois substitute teacher license comes in two forms through the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE): a Substitute License for candidates with a bachelor’s degree, and a Short-Term Substitute License for those with an associate degree or 60 semester hours of college coursework. Both are issued through ISBE’s ELIS system and are valid for five years.
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The Illinois State Board of Education issues two different substitute credentials, and which one you qualify for depends mostly on how much college coursework you’ve completed. If you already hold a Professional Educator License (PEL) or a Paraprofessional License with a bachelor’s degree, you may not need a separate substitute license at all. Here’s how each path works, what ISBE requires, and how to apply. If substitute teaching is a step toward a full classroom role, see our guide to pursuing a full teaching certification in Illinois.
Types of Illinois Substitute Teaching Licenses
Substitute License (SUB)
The standard Substitute License requires a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university. You can also qualify while still in school: if you’re enrolled in an Illinois-approved educator preparation program, have completed at least 90 semester hours of coursework, or have a Professional Educator License in pre-completion status on your ELIS account, you’re eligible to apply before finishing your degree.
Short-Term Substitute License (STS)
The Short-Term Substitute License is the option for candidates who haven’t completed a bachelor’s degree. It requires an associate degree or at least 60 semester hours of coursework (100-level or higher) from a regionally accredited institution. The tradeoff is a shorter placement window compared to the standard Substitute License, covered below.
Already Licensed? PEL and PARA Holders
If you hold a valid Professional Educator License or an Educator License with Stipulations endorsed as a Paraprofessional (PARA) and you have a bachelor’s degree on file, you’re already qualified to substitute teach. You don’t need to apply for a separate Substitute or Short-Term Substitute License. You’ll still need to register with the Regional Office of Education (ROE) covering the district where you plan to work. If you’re moving to Illinois with a license from another state, check how Illinois teacher reciprocity applies before you register.
Want to learn how to earn a professional teaching certification? Contact schools offering teaching certification programs in Illinois.
How to Apply for an Illinois Substitute License
Every application runs through ISBE’s Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS). Start by creating or logging into your ELIS account, then select the credential you’re applying for. Your college or university sends an official, sealed transcript directly to ISBE or to your Regional Office of Education. Once ISBE verifies your transcript, most applications with a completed bachelor’s degree on file issue automatically. Applicants relying on in-progress coursework or an associate degree typically go through manual review by a state evaluator.
After your license is issued in ELIS, you still need to register it with the Regional Office of Education covering the district where you intend to substitute teach. Registration is a separate step from the state-level license and is often where districts confirm your fingerprinting and health documentation are on file.
Background Check and Health Requirements
Illinois School Code requires a fingerprint-based criminal history check for anyone with direct daily contact with students, and substitute teachers are no exception. Your Regional Office of Education handles this step. You’ll schedule a fingerprinting appointment through an authorized provider and consent to a check against the Illinois State Police sex offender and violent offender registries before you’re cleared to substitute in that ROE’s districts. Most ROEs also require a physician-signed statement of good health completed within a set window (commonly 90 days) before you start. Fees for fingerprinting and the health exam vary by ROE, so confirm exact costs and scheduling with the office covering your district.
How Long an Illinois Substitute License Lasts
Both the Substitute License and the Short-Term Substitute License are valid for five years from issuance. The standard Substitute License can be renewed by registering again through ELIS and paying the applicable registration fee. See our guide on renewing your Illinois teaching credential for the full process. The Short-Term Substitute License is not renewable, so candidates who want to keep substitute teaching past their five-year window typically need to complete additional coursework and move up to the standard Substitute License.
How Many Days You Can Substitute Teach
The day limit depends on which license you’re subbing under, and it resets by licensed teacher, not by district. Substitute License holders can work up to 90 consecutive paid school days for the same licensed teacher in one school year. Short-Term Substitute License holders have a much narrower window: no more than 5 consecutive paid school days for the same licensed teacher, extending to 15 consecutive days if the state has a declared disaster proclamation. Substitutes who already hold a Professional Educator License or Paraprofessional License get the longest window, up to 120 consecutive paid school days for the same licensed teacher in one school year.
Contact Information
For questions about applying, registering, or renewing an Illinois substitute teacher license, contact the Regional Office of Education or Intermediate Service Center covering your area. ROEs and ISCs handle registration, fingerprinting appointments, and district-specific placement questions that fall outside ISBE’s state-level licensing process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What degree do you need to substitute teach in Illinois?
A bachelor’s degree qualifies you for the standard Substitute License. If you don’t have a bachelor’s degree yet, an associate degree or 60 semester hours of college coursework qualifies you for the Short-Term Substitute License instead.
How long does an Illinois substitute teacher license last?
Both substitute license types are valid for five years. The standard Substitute License can be renewed through ELIS. The Short-Term Substitute License cannot be renewed and requires moving up to the standard license to continue substitute teaching.
Can I substitute teach in Illinois without a bachelor’s degree?
Yes, through the Short-Term Substitute License, which requires only an associate degree or 60 semester hours of coursework from a regionally accredited institution.
How many days can a substitute teacher work in Illinois?
Substitute License holders can work up to 90 consecutive paid school days for the same licensed teacher in one school year. Short-Term Substitute License holders are capped at 5 consecutive paid school days for the same licensed teacher (15 during a declared state disaster). Substitutes who hold a Professional Educator License or Paraprofessional License can work up to 120 consecutive paid school days for the same licensed teacher in one school year.
Do you need a background check to substitute teach in Illinois?
Yes. Illinois School Code requires a fingerprint-based criminal history check for anyone with direct daily contact with students. Your Regional Office of Education arranges this along with any health documentation required before you can be placed on a district’s substitute list.
- Two license paths — a bachelor’s degree qualifies you for the standard Substitute License, while an associate degree or 60 semester hours qualifies you for the Short-Term Substitute License.
- Five-year validity — both license types last five years, but only the standard Substitute License can be renewed.
- ELIS is the portal — applications, transcripts, and renewals all run through ISBE’s Educator Licensure Information System.
- Day limits apply — 90 consecutive days per licensed teacher for Substitute License holders, just 5 consecutive days for Short-Term Substitute License holders, and 120 days for those substituting on a PEL or PARA.
Ready to move from substitute teaching toward a full Illinois teaching license? Explore accredited certification programs that fit your schedule and licensure goals.
